In the afternoon, Shuixian and Yinzhu walked along the palace path leading to Zhaoyang Palace.
The towering palace walls, with their vermilion walls and blue tiles, framed the vast sky into a narrow strip, creating an overwhelmingly oppressive atmosphere.
“My lady,” Yinzhu spoke softly, her voice filled with concern, “…should this servant go to Qianqing Palace to report to His Majesty?”
The entire palace knew about the domineering nature of the mistress of Zhaoyang Palace, and Yinzhu feared Shuixian would suffer if she faced her alone.
Without breaking her stride, Shuixian replied, “No need.”
Lowering her voice, she said calmly, “Noble Consort Li is arrogant, her thoughts are shallow, and she’s even… somewhat foolish.”
Shuixian recalled the maid who had come to Chengming Hall earlier that day. “But that Fangfei by her side is impeccable—a formidable character. I’ve heard she’s the strategist Noble Consort Li brought with her from the manor.”
Her gaze swept calmly over the glazed tiles atop the high palace walls. “Today is merely a test. At most, Noble Consort Li will employ some petty tricks to make things difficult. She wouldn’t dare do anything too extreme to me at such a sensitive time.”
“Requesting the Emperor’s presence? That would be overkill. It would make us appear guilty and might not even please His Majesty.”
There were other considerations Shuixian didn’t fully share with Yinzhu.
She had additional calculations.
Consort Yi was merely under house arrest for now, and the Yi family’s foundation remained intact.
Emperor Zhaoheng ultimately valued balance in his treatment of the harem. Even though he currently favored her, he hadn’t completely neglected others.
Consort Yi’s restoration to favor was only a matter of time. When that happened, she would undoubtedly spare no effort in seeking revenge.
Shuixian knew well that she had no power or influence, no support in the imperial court, and even her parents and younger sister, registered as low-status citizens, were still held in the grasp of Yi Manor.
She couldn’t idly wait for Consort Yi’s return to favor—she needed to prepare in advance.
Shuixian’s gaze fell upon the plaque of Zhaoyang Palace at the end of the palace path.
She needed a more useful dagger… Whether Noble Consort Li could become her dagger would be determined today.
Taking a deep breath, Shuixian concealed all sharpness in her eyes, replacing it with a docile expression as she stepped into Zhaoyang Palace.
The moment she entered the palace gates, a rich warm fragrance mixed with floral scents assailed her senses.
It was worth noting that this was deep winter. The courtyard was extravagantly decorated with precious flowers brought from hothouses. Palace maids stood by fanning them, their fingers chapped from the cold, all to spread the intense floral aroma throughout the courtyard.
Wherever one looked, extreme luxury prevailed.
Fangfei was already waiting inside the gate. Upon seeing Shuixian, she immediately revealed a gentle smile and curtsied: “Noble Lady, may you be well. Her Ladyship is waiting in the main hall. Please follow me.”
Shuixian nodded slightly and followed Fangfei through the courtyard into the main hall.
The main hall was even more magnificent. Noble Consort Li, Ruan Huan, sat upright on the rosewood carved chair in the host position, dressed in bright red peony brocade palace attire. Her towering cloud-like hairstyle glittered with pearls and jewels, shining with golden light.
Her charming phoenix eyes held a scrutinizing gaze as she unabashedly looked over Shuixian from head to toe.
When she clearly saw Shuixian’s young and delicate beauty, a surge of intense jealousy suddenly rose in Noble Consort Li’s heart.
Subconsciously, she raised her hand and lightly touched the corner of her eye with fingers painted with bright red nail polish. Beneath the thick makeup there, only she knew about the fine wrinkles hidden underneath.
Time spared no one, while this lowly servant before her was at the most radiant age for a woman!
A nameless fury instantly flared up.
“Noble Lady Shuixian certainly puts on quite the airs!”
Noble Consort Li curled her crimson lips and sneered outright, “The congratulatory gift I sent was met with your belated arrival hours later. Could it be that having just gained the Emperor’s favor, you already look down upon my Zhaoyang Palace?”
Shuixian thought to herself: Noble Consort Li truly is domineering.
Yet her face showed utter alarm as she promptly curtseyed. “Your Highness, please calm your anger! This humble one would never dare to be presumptuous! I am immensely grateful for the generous gift Your Highness bestowed. I should have come immediately to express my thanks.”
“But the relocation to the new palace kept me occupied with numerous trivial matters. I feared my disheveled appearance might offend Your Highness’s majestic presence, so I took some time to tidy up and dared not visit until this afternoon.”
She lowered her posture completely. “I had already asked Aunt Fangfei to convey my intended visit time in advance. If there was any impropriety, I beg Your Highness to punish me.”
Noble Consort Li was momentarily speechless by her soft words, her intended anger stuck in her chest.
Fangfei timely stepped forward and gently said, “Your Highness, Noble Lady Shuixian did indeed ask this servant to convey her intention to visit this morning. It was my negligence in not reporting it to you promptly. I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness.”
In truth, Fangfei had already reported to Noble Consort Li, but since the consort wanted to vent her anger, she naturally had to provide her with a way out.
Noble Consort Li snorted, still unwilling to let it go. “Enough! I am not one to be petty. But since you’re here, where is your gift? Let me see what precious thing the Emperor bestowed upon you.”
Shuixian signaled Yinzhu to step forward and present an exquisite brocade box.
Fangfei took it and presented it to Noble Consort Li.
The consort carelessly opened it, revealing a delicate and translucent red coral ornament, uniquely shaped and vividly colored.
“Tch,” Noble Consort Li let out a contemptuous laugh after just one glance.
“I thought it was something rare. Coral of this quality is only considered treasure in the eyes of servants like you who’ve seen little of the world. In Zhaoyang Palace, it isn’t even fit to be placed in a corner as a potted plant!”
She tossed the box to Fangfei with utter disdain.
Not a trace of anger showed on Shuixian’s face. “Your Highness is absolutely right. How can the items the Emperor bestowed upon this humble one compare to the rare treasures granted to Your Highness? Your Highness’s majestic presence naturally warrants only the finest objects.”
She knew exactly what Noble Consort Li cared about most—the Emperor’s favor and unique honor.
These words, each and every one, elevated Noble Consort Li while belittling herself, lifting the consort to the highest esteem.
Sure enough, hearing this extremely pleasing flattery, most of the anger born from jealousy in Noble Consort Li’s heart instantly dissipated.
She smoothed the phoenix hairpin at her temple, unable to suppress an upward curl of her lips. “Hmph, at least you know your place. Rise and take a seat.”
Fangfei stepped forward to help Shuixian up and guided her to sit on an embroidered stool nearby.
Just as Shuixian sat down, an inconspicuous young eunuch hurried into the hall from outside, whispering a few words into Fangfei’s ear.
Fangfei nodded, waved him away, then approached Noble Consort Li and reported in a low voice.
After listening, a look of surprise crossed Noble Consort Li’s face. She turned to Shuixian with some confusion. “You… actually didn’t send anyone to Qianqing Palace to complain?”
Shuixian’s heart skipped a beat.
In her previous life, she had little interaction with Noble Consort Li and never knew she had such means—planting informants outside Qianqing Palace to monitor whether consorts were seeking the Emperor’s help!
This line of thinking… isn’t entirely foolish.
The question is whether these thoughts originated from Noble Consort Li herself or were suggested by Fangfei.
Immediately, a look of bewilderment surfaced on her face: “Complain? Why would Your Ladyship say that? This humble one came sincerely to pay respects and express gratitude to Your Ladyship, filled only with admiration. How could there be any grievance requiring complaint to His Majesty?”
“This humble one… this humble one also wishes to speak more with Your Ladyship and grow closer.”
Her performance, paired with those clear, innocent eyes, left Noble Consort Li momentarily speechless.
She studied Shuixian suspiciously, as if trying to detect any trace of pretense on her face, but found only flawless sincerity.
Just then, Noble Consort Li seemed to recall something and shifted her tone, deliberately adopting a challenging stance:
“Speaking of which, Consort Yi has been confined by His Majesty. As her former personal maid, now residing in the same Changxin Palace… ah, no, you’ve moved to Chengming Hall now.”
She paused intentionally, smugly observing Shuixian’s reaction.
“With Consort Yi ending up in such a state, how does Noble Lady Shuixian… feel about it?”
“This consort and that Yi Guichun have always been as incompatible as fire and water. If you still cherish your former mistress’s affection and side with her, then you are opposing this consort!”
Test after test, sarcasm layered with more sarcasm!
Shuixian felt her every step scrutinized under the gazes of Noble Consort Li and Fangfei, each moment filled with tension.
She abruptly rose from the Embroidered Stool, her knees giving way as she knelt on the floor.
“Your Ladyship, please see clearly! This humble one…”
Shuixian choked up for a moment, as if struggling with unspeakable difficulties, hesitating to continue.
But her tears fell like broken pearls, large drops splashing onto the gleaming floor tiles, leaving small, dark wet stains.
Noble Consort Li exchanged a glance with Fangfei, then softened her voice: “It’s alright, speak plainly!”
“This humble one… this humble one is constrained by circumstances!”
Shuixian nervously twisted the hem of her garment: “Consort Yi… she is indeed this humble one’s former mistress, but how could this humble one dare to harbor even a shred of loyalty toward her?”
“The truth is, this humble one’s parents and young sister are still servants in Yi Manor. Their lives and fates are entirely in the hands of Consort Yi and her father!”
Her shoulders trembled helplessly: “This humble one lives in constant fear and caution, terrified that any misstep might implicate my family… sob…”
Having lived two lifetimes combined, Shuixian had long trained herself to shed tears on command—able to cry from the left eye or the right with practiced precision.
She didn’t forget her lines: “In this humble one’s heart, there is only reverence for Your Ladyship, not the slightest disrespect, and certainly no intention to oppose you!”
“It’s just… just that Consort Yi holds great influence, while this humble one is insignificant. With my parents’ and sister’s lives tied to her hands, I… I truly have no choice but to comply!”
She bowed again, her forehead pressed against the cold floor, her delicate body shaking violently with sobs, appearing utterly pitiful.
The main hall of Zhaoyang Palace fell into complete silence, broken only by the echo of Shuixian’s suppressed weeping.
Noble Consort Li looked down at Shuixian weeping bitterly at her feet and became completely convinced of her explanation.
If it were fake, she could never act this convincingly!
This Shuixian wasn’t actually Consort Yi’s confidante at all, but rather a poor wretch being coerced with threats against her family’s lives!
Noble Consort Li’s mind suddenly cleared, and she even felt a flicker of secret delight.
That vile Yi Guichun actually used such despicable methods to control a servant!
Now this pawn who knew many of Consort Yi’s secrets and harbored deep resentment toward her had voluntarily come offering allegiance?
She instinctively glanced at Fangfei.
Fangfei gave Noble Consort Li an almost imperceptible nod.
Fangfei had previously analyzed that if they could exploit Shuixian’s resentment toward Consort Yi to make her incriminate her mistress, it would definitely be a powerful weapon against that smiling tiger!
Now it seemed this Shuixian was practically a heaven-sent breakthrough!
Noble Consort Li’s expression instantly brightened. She personally rose and walked over to Shuixian, extending her manicured hand as if to help her up:
“Oh dear, get up, get up! Look at you, child, crying like this—it pains my heart to see.”
Her tone became extremely gentle: “I had no idea you’ve suffered so much. That Yi Guichun truly has the heart of a snake, to treat even those close to her with such cruelty and coercion!”
She helped Shuixian up and even personally used her handkerchief to wipe away her tears.
“Don’t be afraid.” Noble Consort Li smiled: “As long as you’re truly loyal to me, I’ll naturally see that justice is done for you!”
“As for Consort Yi… Hmph, she can hardly protect herself—how dare she threaten you with your family? Rest assured, with me here, I’ll definitely keep you safe. About your parents and younger sister… I’ll find a solution.”
Shuixian rose compliantly, weeping with gratitude: “Th-thank you for your great mercy, Noble Consort! Your compassion… this humble servant is willing to serve you with utter devotion!”
She kept her head bowed, allowing Noble Consort Li to hold her hand, appearing completely submissive.
Noble Consort Li looked at her with satisfaction, as if already seeing the scene of using Shuixian to thoroughly crush Consort Yi underfoot, her smile growing increasingly brilliant and triumphant.
However, no one noticed—hidden beneath her lowered lashes—the glint of calculation that flashed in Shuixian’s eyes.
She had finally gotten her hands on this sharp blade named Noble Consort Li.